A Disappointing Pickle

I'm glad to see Grand Central Market hopping with an influx of new vendors and was quite excited to see Wexler's Deli arrive. Being a longtime NewYorker I love a good Jewish deli. My first experience with Wexler's was about a week after they opened, I got the Reuben and it was a beautiful example of the deli arts, succulent thick cut corned beef heaven. I tried the O.G. a few days later and was put off by the too powerful campfire smoke (?) flavored pastrami which I couldn't get off my fingers nor breath for the rest of the afternoon. Also, I assume it's Micah who's expediting the orders, he sloppily wrapped my sandwich and hastily handed it to me sans bag. Now who in the hell hands someone a greasy sandwich without a bag especially the proprietor of the joint. Anyway, I was kind of disappointed with that experience but chalked it up to them working out the kinks of their new establishment. A few days ago I thought I'd try the Reuben again as it was so spot on the first time. I got it to go with a side of pickles and slaw. This time I got a bag (unfortunately the bag is too big but hey, at least I got a bag this time). When I got back to my apt to enjoy the sandwich I could tell right away Wexler's had within the time of a couple of weeks was turning out subpar food. The corned beef was completely dry (had it been pre-cut and sat under a heat lamp?), one slice was brown and not red and it wasn't an end slice. They forgot the swiss cheese and the rye was unevenly toasted and perhaps old. I was looking for salvation in the pickles but one look at them said it wasn't to be, both spears were terrible looking, one end was shrunken and dried out, the color uneven throughout. I took a nibble and spit it out, a truly awful pickle that should have been thrown into the garbage instead of served to a customer. The slaw was nothing special too, maybe because the awful pickles had drained into it and tainted the slaw. The funny thing is, I could probably accept a bad pickle & slaw if it was included with the Reuben but at Wexler's you pay for that side and therefore they should pay a bit more attention to it as it reflects on them.

I really do want to see Wexler's succeed though, maybe Micah needs to step away from the expediting of orders and concentrate on his team that is cranking out his namesake food. I think he truly has the chops but I've seen the food slip into forgettable in a few short weeks and Wexler's owes it to themselves and it's customers to be better. Grade: Meh